NJ Spotlight--Feds Release Health Advisories for Toxins Often Found in NJ Water

EPA warnings, which are not enforceable, set new, lower levels for PFOA and PFOS in water supplies

The federal Environmental Protection Agency yesterday issued new health advisories for two chemicals used in a wide variety of consumer goods that have been detected with increasing frequency in drinking water supplies in New Jersey.

The effect of the advisories is to replace previous warnings associated with the health risks of exposure to PFOA (perfluorooctanic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane suflonate).

The new advisory establishes levels that are considerably lower than those set by a short-term health advisory that has been in place since 2009 and used as a trigger by communities to take action when the chemicals are found in drinking water.

Star Ledger--Are N.J. schools too late in rush to test water for lead?

, Aqua Pro-Tech Laboratories typically received few requests to test water samples from school sinks and water fountains, said Rob Barrett, the company's chief executive.

But in the two months since Newark Public Schools shut off water in 30 buildings because of lead contamination, the Fairfield-based company has become so inundated with calls that it started turning schools away, Barrett said.

"This is seven days a week, 24 hours a day," Barrett said of his company's new testing schedule. "We never had to run on weekends. We ran a night shift, but now we are running around the clock."

Even before Gov. Chris Christie's announcement this month that all schools will be required to test for lead, New Jersey schools were rushing to test their drinking water so they could tackle new questions from parents and criticisms from activists.